There always comes a point in a relationship when your boyfriend just doesn’t make the cut in the fashion department. And that’s okay. You accept him that way and love him all the same. However, we sometimes can’t shake the feeling that he’d just look so much better if he’d wear some nice fitting jeans to show off that tush you love oh so much.
Changing the way your boyfriend dresses can sometimes be a hard task since updating somebody’s wardrobe does not happen overnight. Especially not on a student’s limited budget.
First and foremost, you must evaluate his outfits and identify which apparel must go and which pieces must be added. According to Forbes magazine, wardrobe staples for men include khaki pants, well fitted dark jeans, a cashmere sweater and a white button up dress shirt (family dinners anyone?).
These pieces can be found at any price and can be matched with any style in your man’s wardrobe. Even though he will not necessarily wear these clothes all the time, having something nice to wear for special events is always appreciated.
Furthermore, accessories are not to be forgotten. My personal favorite staples for this category are belts and sunglasses. First, belts are very practical since they make sure the student body doesn’t have to endure seeing your guy’s boxers when he is sitting down. I witnessed this one too many times at our local 1848 pub, so please relay the message to your lovely male friends! Also, belts can take any casual outfit up a notch and make it that much more fashionable since they give a clean, cut edge to any type of pant.
Furthermore, every man needs a nice pair of sunglasses. This inevitable purchase makes any men look slick, preppy and most importantly, mysterious. Of course, make sure they are a perfect fit for him since not every type of sunglasses looks good on everyone. The last thing you want is for your man to look like a fly!
It can be tricky to get him to realize he should dress better, but if he trusts you, no real issue should come out of this. If you want to subtly tell him, make sure you know what his insecurities are and avoid pushing the sensitive buttons. Maybe his insecurities are what discourage him to wear certain pieces of clothing. For example, he may feel like he is too skinny for tight clothes and this is why he is always wearing shirts that are too loose for him (yes, he somehow thinks this makes him look ‘bulkier’). Getting him to feel better about himself will give him more confidence to get out of his comfort clothes.
You cannot impose on him what you think is ‘in’, so you need to understand his perspective on himself. Compliment him when he wears something you like so he will have the incentive to wear it again and maybe he will buy something similar during his next annual shopping.
Also, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and his birthday give you great opportunities to offer him something you’d love to see him wear. If you are uncomfortable buying him clothing, you can always get a gift card from a store you like. After, you can go shopping with him and ‘recommend’ him to get what you think looks good on him. However, be cautious about his style. If he is a skateboarder, I wouldn’t recommend bringing him to Harry Rosen. Do not try and change who he is, but accentuate his features within his style range.
All in all, be free to give your personal input on the way he dresses and presents himself because let’s face it, if you like it, many other people will like it. Be mindful of your guy’s feelings and make sure his makeover will benefit him more than it will benefit you! Now, take it over ladies!